# suing

/ˈsuɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈuːɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. taking legal action

verb · CEFR B2

taking someone to court to ask for money or a legal decision because they did something wrong.

For teachers: initiating a civil lawsuit against a party to seek legal redress or financial compensation.

- The company is suing its former partner for breaking their contract.
- The environmental group is suing the government for failing to enforce existing air quality standards in industrial zones.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'for' to indicate the reason or the amount sought.

### 2. the act of litigation

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the process of making a legal claim against someone.

For teachers: the act or process of bringing a lawsuit against another party.

- Constant suing between the two families has lasted for decades.
- The endless suing and counter-suing between the tech giants has cost both firms millions in legal fees.

Usage: Used as a gerund-noun to describe the activity itself.

## Examples

- The company is suing its former partner for breach of contract.
- After the accident, the driver considered suing the city for failing to maintain the traffic lights properly.
- Legal experts are debating whether the environmental group has a strong enough case for suing the corporation over decades of groundwater contamination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.